SPD COLD CASE SENTENCED: CHRISTOPHER GIBBS JR. CONVICTED OF RAPE 2nd DEGREE AND RELATED CHARGES SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS

On March 23, 2015, Christopher Gibbs Jr., age 52, of Salisbury, Maryland, was convicted by a Wicomico County jury of Rape 2nd Degree and related charges. The charges against Gibbs arose from an incident that occurred on July 22, 1999, in the area of Isabella Street, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland. As the victim was coming home from work on the evening of July 22, 1999, Gibbs forced her into her apartment at knife point. Gibbs ordered her to the bedroom where he sexually assaulted her at knifepoint. Before Gibbs left the apartment, he cut the phone cord from the wall and stole the victim’s purse and keys. Police were called and the crime was investigated by the SPD City Investigation Division (CID). The victim was taken to PRMC for treatment and DNA evidence from the case was sent to the Maryland State Police Crime Lab. SPD could not identify a suspect at that time; however, the victim’s attacker’s DNA was uploaded onto the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). In 2014, the CODIS unit notified the Salisbury City Police that the DNA standard of Christopher Gibbs Jr., matched the DNA collected during the investigation on July 22, 1999.

On May 8, 2015, Gibbs was sentenced to the maximum penalty for Rape 2nd, twenty (20) years, to be served in the Division of Corrections. Gibbs was also sentenced to ten (10) years for Robbery and ten (10) years for Burglary 1st Degree, for crimes he committed during the course of the event. Gibbs total sentence was forty (40) years active incarceration in the Division of Corrections. That sentence was ordered to be served consecutive to any other sentence Gibbs is currently obligated to serve.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Salisbury City Police, and investigating officer, Det. Matthew Thompsen, for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Mr. Maciarello also thanked Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Kristen Schultz who prosecuted this case.